KEEPING THE FAMILY CONNECTED
- HOW CAREER PROFESSIONALS STAY IN TOUCH WITH TECHNOLOGY
ATIVE ENNIS
Digicel Business’s Head of Enterprise Solutions
“My family is integral to my accomplishments—they keep me grounded and give me peace of mind.”
For Ative Ennis, family is a key component in his formula for success.
As Digicel’s Head of Enterprise Solutions, Ative works up to 80 hours a week. His job also requires him to travel at least three times per
month—with each trip lasting 3 to 5 days.
The father of two shared that technology plays a vital role in staying connected with his wife and children, no matter where he goes.
“While technology doesn’t compensate for me being there physically, it helps me to maintain a presence in their lives,” he said. “I get to
share in the high points of their day and provide support and consolation when they need it.”
STRIKING A BALANCE
“ Technology enables
me to continue being
a dad to my children
and a husband to my
wife, even when
I’m far away. ”
Though Ative strongly recommends technology as an important tool for the
career professional trying to raise a family, he urges them to strike a balance.
TIPS FROM ATIVE:
• Start a movie or games night
• Take a break from all the devices when you are
around each other
• Monitor your children and teach them the pros and
cons of cyberspace
• Don’t over-expose your children to technology
• Exercise together
“Although technology helps you to connect, if you’re not careful, it can
remove the human element in your family interactions,” he noted. “Don’t
allow technology to replace the social interaction of your family. You have
to find a way to stay balanced.”
GAIL MOSS-SOLOMON
Director, Legal and Regulatory Affairs, Digicel Jamaica
Gail Moss-Solomon is a busy lawyer whose demanding career takes her away from her two young daughters more often than she’d like.
Her husband Jeffrey also has a similarly challenging job.
CHOOSING BETWEEN CAREER AND FAMILY
But Gail observes that technology provides her with the flexibility to advance her career while making sure she doesn’t miss out on her
children’s lives.
“Without technology, it’s very likely I would have had to make a choice between a demanding career and spending time closer to
home with my family,” said Gail.
“If things like roaming and video-chatting didn’t exist, I certainly would not be able to have the peace of mind as a working parent.”
“ While I’m very
confident in the care
my children receive
when I’m not there,
it’s assuring to know
that my daughter is able
to contact me directly,
whenever she
needs to. ”
TECHNOLOGY IS LIBERATING
According to Gail, technology has had a liberating effect on her five-year-old.
“My older daughter has recently memorised my telephone number. So now, she is able to just pick up the phone whenever she needs
me—the only problem now is that she calls right around the clock!”
TIPS FROM GAIL:
• Be sure to spend quality time together as a family
• Go to outings together—the beach is a great option!
• Use technology like tablets to play with and teach
your children
• Attend live cultural events with the children and
expose them to the arts
This, she says, has enabled her to strengthen the bond between her and her
daughters.
She added, “Staying connected to my family is important from two
perspectives. One, my daughters can feel my presence and love even
when I’m not there and I’m able to always know what’s going on with them.”
ADV.
Family and Faith Magazine
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www.familyandfaithmagazine.com
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Monday, January 5, 2015
29